Berks, PAC-10 cross country runs

When, where: Today, at Kutztown University. Varsity girls, 4 p.m. Varsity boys, 4:45 p.m. (Note: There will be no JV race, but each team will get to enter 12 runners instead of seven).

Course: Identical to last fall. Generally rolling and fast with an uphill finish.

Boys individual contenders: Defending champion Tyler Riegel is favored to repeat. The Tulpehocken junior went 6-0 in conference meets, setting three course records, and won the blue race at the Hershey Invitational. . . . The top threats are expected to be Exeter sophomore Zach Greth (four wins) and Wilson senior Matt Rutt (two wins). Greth lost to Riegel by 10 seconds, Rutt by 12. . . . Gov. Mifflin sophomore Logan Mohn (two wins, 10 seconds behind Riegel) would have been one of the top threats, but has been sidelined with pneumonia. . . . Twin Valley senior Kerry Werner, third last year, had four wins and didn't run against Riegel. . . . Conrad Weiser has four potential threats in Zach Barker (second last fall), Nate Jones, Clint Keller and James Romano. . . . Other contenders include Kutztown's Stephen Welsh (seventh last year) and Fleetwood's Joe Huyett (two wins).

Boys notables: It would be a stunner if Conrad Weiser (15-0) failed to successfully defend the boys title. The Scouts blew through Berks Conference meets and won the Kutztown, Gettysburg and Weiser invitationals. . . . Exeter (14-1) is the only team considered deep enough to threaten Weiser. Gov. Mifflin (12-3), Kutztown (12-3), Wilson (11-4) and Wyomissing (11-4) will battle for top-five spots.

Girls notables: Gov. Mifflin (15-0) is heavily favored to win its fourth straight title. The Mustangs won the Penn State Spiked Shoe Invitational and have been ranked in the state for most of the fall. . . . Wilson (12-3) was the top contender before being slowed by injuries. A young Exeter (12-3) group came on late. Others in the mix include Wyomissing (11-4), Conrad Weiser (11-4), Oley Valley (11-4) and Tulpehocken (11-4).

The course: Mixture of grass, dirt and asphalt surfaces. Several rolling hills, including a steep hill at the start.

Last year: Behind winner Mark Dennin, Boyertown beat Perkiomen Valley on a tiebreaker to win its second title in three years. In the girls race the Bears were third behind Spring-Ford and winner Perk Valley, which won for the sixth straight year.

Other boys contenders: Perkiomen Valley finished 9-0 for the second straight year and is heavily favored. . . . Methacton (8-1) lost 16-49 to Perkiomen Valley; Spring-Ford (7-2) lost 18-41 to the Vikings. . . . Perkiomen Valley's Jimmy Tarsnane, second last year, is a favorite for the Class AAA state title. Fighting for second today will be Methacton's Brandon Mash, Spring-Ford's Casey Long and Boyertown's Kiefer.

Boyertown girls: Finished 9-0 for first time since joining PAC-10 in 2002. . . . Junior Elizabeth Simpson went 6-0 in league meets and is the individual favorite. . . . Senior Sarah Mulvey was second to Simpson in five meets.